Dental Fillings

How do you know if you need dental fillings?

Even if you are a diligent brusher and flosser, dental cavities can form. When this occurs, the most common treatment option is a dental filling. The typical symptoms of a problem with tooth decay or a cavity are toothaches and/or sensitivity to hot or cold.

If you are experiencing these symptoms, we recommend seeing Lethbridge dentist Dr. Lachman sooner rather than later. That’s because early diagnosis and treatment is your best bet for a more simple and less expensive treatment. Cavities don’t go away on their own, and postponing treatment often leads to more invasive, higher priced treatment down the road.

Amalgam, white or gold fillings – what’s the difference?

Traditionally, amalgam, or metal has been the go-to material when it came to dental fillings. Why? It is a strong, capable, cost-effective way to fill teeth. More expensive gold is another long-established dental filling material. The new kid on the block is composite resin, also known as a “white filling”.

Beyond aesthetics, Dr Lachman prefers composite resin over metals because metal can expand and contract with heat and cold, potentially causing gaps to form between teeth and fillings or cracks to appear in the tooth itself.

Should you replace your metal fillings?

The short answer is: Not if they are in good condition. In dentistry, as in other health care professions, less is often more when it comes to best practices. The thing to keep in mind though, is cracks in teeth, or gaps between the tooth and the filling are often painless, but are the perfect place for bacteria to hide and grow.

The consequences of ignoring or missing a cracked tooth or ill-fitting filling can be:

The good news is, none of this needs to be as dire as it may sound. If you are concerned about your dental fillings, talk to Lethbridge dentist Dr. Lachman. It’s also important to schedule regular dental check ups as well. That way Dr Lachman can examine and monitor your fillings and advise you if or when a filling replacement treatment is required.

Keep your teeth healthy

Maintaining healthy teeth and gums is a key component of good general health. Regular brushing, flossing, cleanings and check-ups are a relatively easy way you can practice prevention and minimize the impacts of dental problems.

If you would like to learn more about replacing your current metal fillings with white dental fillings, please schedule a consultation with Lethbridge general dentist Dr. Lachman.

Dentist Alberta providing: general dentistry, cosmetic dental treatment options, dental implants, dentures, prevention & gum care, sedation options and orthodontic treatments. The information provided on this website for Lethbridge dentist Dr. Karstan Lachman, is not intended to serve as medical advice. An appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan for any patient can be made only by a treating dentist, physician, or group of doctors. Cool Dental shall have no liability or responsibility to any person with respect to loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in this website or obtained from other websites to which a visitor may connect and view.